During a four-day trial at Guildford Crown Court in February, a jury heard the mother-of-two failed to deposit any cash into the PTA’s HSBC account during her two-year tenure as treasurer and instead stole a total of £2,272.20 to help fund her own shopping.

A total of £681.16 was also found in loose change at her Ravensborne Avenue home, kept in a Sports Direct bag.

Sentencing, Recorder Lawrence West QC said Reddick's actions had been “mean and petty”.

Although noting her ‘financial pressures’, the judge said it was in the public interest to sentence her to 26 weeks imprisonment suspended for one year.

Reddick was also sentenced to 70 hours of unpaid work and to pay £2953.36 in compensation, which included the £681.16 found at her home, to go directly back to the school.

Defending, Mr Tony Nayager, said Reddick was no longer working as a book keeper for accountancy firm James Worley & Sons, who had given her the option of resigning with a reference.

She will start work as a part-time kitchen porter at a college in April earning £6.50 per hour.

Mr Nayager added that Spencer Taylor, councillor for Stanwell North, will also be facing redundancy from his workplace in a warehouse at the end of April.

Speaking after the sentencing, Cllr Taylor said the sentence was "fair".

“I think the sentence was fair and our background was taken into account and we can’t fault the judge on his approach," he said.

Mr Taylor added he will not be standing again as a councillor “due to previous articles surrounding this case”.

“I have been forced by publications.".

“It’s put my family at risk and I am not willing to have my position used to attack my family.”